Switches Indicators & Gauges

A Blast Furnace Radar is a microwave range finder that consists of a controller, a guide pipe and an antenna.

It is important to control the distribution pattern of charged raw materials to ensure a more stable operation and improve the reaction efficiency.

MWS-20RF-2H

The main advantage of the Semrad Pty Ltd blast furnace radar MWS-20RF-2H is that it is completely unaffected by heat, flames, dust, vapour and shock (note this only applies to the reflector and guide pipe, however the controller and antenna need to be installed in normal temperature areas). The controller can withstand temperatures between  -10 and +50 degrees and the antenna can withstand temperatures between -20  and +150 degrees. The MWS-20RF-2H responds 4 times faster than WADECO standard Microranger. This means that the measurement of bath levels can be carried out quickly and more accurately. It increases operating space due to the fact that the reflector retracts back into its original position (through the use of a robotic arm) when it is not in use. The robotic arm mechanism also eliminates the need for wiring and construction.

The MWS-20RF-2H has a range of built in functions such as:

• A reference point and the required range are easily preset.
• Compatible for use with a personal computer.
• Power supply range of 90∼240V, 50/60Hz.
• Communicates with a Personal Computer by RS-232C.
• 4-20mA, analogue output.
• RS-422 digital output terminals (distance, receiving power level, temperature and alarm).

The MWS-20RF-2H can detect a range of up to 50 meters and has an accuracy rate of 3mm.

All WADECO products come with a 1 year guarantee period from the date of delivery.

Applications of Rain Gauges

Rain gauges are an important tool for assessing Earth’s water resources. Hydrological data obtained from measurements and essential for effective water resource development and management. Modern networks of hydrological instruments began in Europe and North America in the 18th and 19th centuries, and today consist of stations measuring precipitation, evaporation, soil moisture, ice, water quality, groundwater level and river water levels.

Accurate rainfall predictions are necessary for forecasting short-term climate variability, extreme weather events (such as flash floods), as well as rainfall distribution, possible droughts and analysing climate change patterns. Hydrological networks are also used to assist in pollution protection, water conservation, groundwater protection and inland navigation. Data collection is vital for assessing water quality and quantity, both on the surface and below ground.

Precipitation Analysis

Through using these hydrological networks, information can be collected on things such as the distribution of water across the globe or water availability versus population. For example, Africa has 11% of the world’s available water but 13% of the world’s population, Asia has 60% of the world’s population but only 30% of the world’s water, while South America has only 5% of the world’s population and 26% of the world’s available water (according to a study by UNESCO).

Analysis of world mean precipitation shows large annual totals in the tropics, mid-latitudes and where there are high mountain ranges, according to a joint report by the World Water Assessment Programme (UN). Of course towards the poles and with increasing altitude precipitation is more like to fall as snow. By contrast to these areas of high precipitation, areas furthest from oceans, the polar regions and n the lee of mountains receive little rain. These constitute the world’s deserts and semi-deserts, such as the Australian Simpson and Gibson deserts or the African Sahara Desert. This leads to extreme disparities around the glove, from floods in East & South East Asia and much of South America and central Africa, to drought in northern Africa and much of Australia.

Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

The tipping bucket rain gauge measures the amount of rainfall in a set period, as well as the character of the rain. It typically consists of a large copper cylinder set into the ground, with a funnel at the top of the cylinder that collects the rain. The precipitation then fall onto one of two small levers which are balanced like a scale. When 0.2mm of rain falls, the lever tips which sends an electrical signal to the recorder. The recorder has a pen on an arm attached to a geared wheel that records movement on a graph. The modern tipping bucket rain gauge usually has a plastic collector balanced over a pivot, which activates a switch when it tips to record and transmitt the amount of precipitation fallen.

The advantage of a tipping bucket rain gauge is that it can tell the character of the rain, whether it is light, medium or heavy, by counting the number of ‘clicks’ in a 10 minute period. A ‘click’ is the sound of the recording arm moving when recording the amount on the graph.

WaterLOG Rain Gauge

The WaterLOG® H-340 is a tipping bucket rain gauge designed to be precise and durable. Constucted of extruded rustproof aluminium and a one-piece cast base, it also features a removable stainless steel funnel screen and no plastic parts. It has a magnetic reed bucket tip sensor, stainless steel or anodized aluminium internal parts, side windows allowing inspection without having to remove the cover, adjustable feet with an internal bulls-eye level, screened bottom ports, optional drain tubes, and precision bucket bearings.

Available from Semrad Pty Ltd, an Australian distributor for high performance level sensors and level controllers, it can be used to accurately measure rainfall, monitor storm water run off or other meteorological functions.